4th February 2023
GB’s Dave Ryding had a ‘did not finish’ at the World Cup slalom Kandahar race in Chamonix on Saturday. He is likely disappointed with his performance. PlanetSKI is not, in fact we celebrate just watching The Rocket race. NEW
These are exciting times to be a British fan of slalom skiing.
There are currenrtky some great racers – Henrik Kristoffersen of Norway, Clement Noel from France and the Swiss racer, Daniel Yule.
Plus GB’s very own Dave Ryding.
He is the best skier Great Britain has ever produced and each time he clips into his race skis and dons the bib there is a chance he’ll make the podium.
It’s a privilege to witness him giving it his all and demonstrating his skills and technique
Last month he took second place in Kitzbuhel.
The year before he won it.
He was likely frustrated with his performance in Les Houches, Chamonix.
But we weren’t.
The PlanetSKI editor, James Cove, was once again in the crowd in Les Houches for the race as Dave recorded a DNF.
Slalom racing is a hard task-master and the margins are fine.
Kristoffersen and Noel also ‘did not finish’ – DNF.
For us at PlanetSKI slalom is one of the most exciting disciplines in alpine skiing and the atmosphere at the races is like no other.
Here’s the Chamonix crowd as Frenchman Clement Noel set off on his second run, he was top of the leaderboard so a victory was beckoning.
The crowd was subdued a few moments later as he skied out – another DNF.
The entertainment on hand at slalom racing is fun.
And did we mention the views from the Kandahar course in Les Houches?
Kandahar World Cup, Chamonix. Image © PlanetSKI
Autograph and selfie hunting kids descend on the racers when it is all over.
Hang on who’s that in the crowd with the Stars & Strips?
Kandahar World Cup, Chamonix. Image © PlanetSKI
Kandahar World Cup, Chamonix. Image © PlanetSKI
Step forward the legend that is Glenn Plake.
Kandahar World Cup, Chamonix. Image © PlanetSKI
“Wow what racing! The course was a rocker with jumps and a course setting that pushed the guys to the limit. That was skiing old-school with the guys in the air half the time just trying to hang on in there,” he exclaimed to me.
Glenn Plake has made Chamonix his adopted home.
I am certainly not the only Brit in the crowd.
Kandahar World Cup, Chamonix. Image © PlanetSKI
Also there is the BBC’s Ski Sunday.
Chemmy Alcott interviewed GB’s Laurie Taylor who made the second run and came a creditable 23rd.
Kandahar World Cup, Chamonix. Image © PlanetSKI
Kandahar World Cup, Chamonix. Image © PlanetSKI
He represents the future of the sport for Team GB’s men slalom racing along with Billy Major and Charlie Raposo.
For the women we have Charlie Guest and Alex Tilley.
We hope they do well, but be in no doubt that now is the greatest time to be a fan of GB slalom racing.
It is a hard and nail-biting watch, but for us it is alpine sport at its very best.
Kandahar World Cup, Chamonix. Image © PlanetSKI
And GB fans have one man to thank for that.
The one and only Dave Ryding.
Dave Ryding. Image © PlanetSKI
Thank You, Dave.
And good luck in the Alpine ski World Championships that start next week.
James Cove was in the resort a couple of days ago checking out the preparations and what we can expect:
Related articles:
James Cove had an extended video interview with Dave Ryding towards the end of last season in Obergurgl in the Tirol.
James Cove & Dave Ryding. Image © PlanetSKI
See here for more:
Image c/o PlanetSKI
This article was originally published by Planetski.eu. Read the original article here.
